Runners get ready to line up for 2017 Plusnet Leeds Half Marathon

The countdown is on to one of Yorkshire’s biggest and oldest charity road races.

It will be the 32nd running of the Plusnet Leeds Half Marathon on Sunday 14th May – an event which is set to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for charity.

Renowned for its supportive crowds, friendly volunteers and amazing atmosphere, the event is now widely regarded as one of the highlights on the city’s sporting calendar.

Among the more than 8,500 runners set to take part are actor George Rainsford – Ethan Hardy in BBC TV’s Casualty, former Leeds Rhinos greats Barrie McDermott and Keith Senior, sports broadcaster George Riley, co-presenter of Channel 5’s Football on 5, Sky Sports reporter Bryn Law and Thornhill Community Academy teacher Matthew

Burton, who shot to fame in Channel 4’s Educating Yorkshire. Leeds athlete Callum Hall – paralysed after he stood on a sea urchin on holiday – will contest the Wheelchair race.

The route starts in The Headrow alongside Victoria Gardens, heads out of the city centre, takes in a section of the Ring Road and returns via Abbey Road and Kirkstall Road before finishing in Cookridge Street alongside Millennium Square.

Many of those tasking part will be raising money for the event’s partner charities which this year are the Jane Tomlinson Appeal; Martin House Children’s Hospice; Sue Ryder; St Gemma’s Hospice; Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice; Marie Curie; Overgate Hospice; CLIC Sargent, Leeds Children’s Hospital Appeal and Macmillan Cancer Support.

Andy Baker, CEO of the event’s title sponsors Plusnet, said: “As a company we have very strong ties with Leeds and are delighted to support an event that does so much for good causes in the city and the wider region.

“Last month’s half marathon in Sheffield got the Plusnet series off to a super start and we are sure the Plusnet Leeds Half Marathon will once again be hugely successful.”

Organised by Run For All, the half marathon stands as part of the lasting legacy of the late fundraiser and campaigner Jane Tomlinson, who raised almost £2m for charity by tackling a series of epic challenges, including cycling over 4,000 miles across America, despite being diagnosed with incurable cancer.

Lynne Preston, Run For All Events Manager, said: “The Leeds Half Marathon is one of the flagship events of our season and we will be working very hard to ensure all those involved – runners, spectators and volunteers – have an excellent day.”